Taxed to Death
Debra Purdy Kong
Mystery/Suspense
[rating: 3/5]
Available in:
• Mobi/Kindle
• ePub/iPad
• PDF
• HTML
… from…
• Amazon
• MobiPocket
• AllRomanceEbooks
• OmniLit
Also in paperback
When Revenue Canada auditor Alex Bellamy discovers that $150,000 is missing from Ice Craft Jewelers inventory, someone from Special Investigations suddenly takes him off the case. But Alex decides to keep investigating anyhow, and before he knows it, his best friend is dead—suicide, if you can believe it. Moreover, someone is chasing Alex himself, and he must turn to Jillian Scott, a woman he’s never met and who is as afraid of him as he is of being caught. Soon, her fears and his search embroil them in a bizarre and disturbing nightmare.
I read Taxed to Death as part of a review-exchange on GoodReads: I read someone’s book, and someone else reviews one of mine. To that end, and short of cash, I purchased a copy of Debra Purdy Kong’s Taxed to Death on the used market. This is the first in the Alex Bellamy series, the second being her more recent release, Fatal Encryption. But I couldn’t find a used copy of the more recent title, and I thought it would probably be best to start with the first in the series, anyhow.
The book started by throwing names and facts at me, as many mysteries do. Unfortunately—maybe because I’m dense—I didn’t get what was happening until later in the story. The story is billed as a mystery, but in some ways, it reads more like a suspense novel… except that I didn’t understand the characters, at all. In fact, the major viewpoint character, Les Silby, who gets the most screen-time, he’s one of the suspects. Him I got, at least as much as I could without knowing his full role until the end. Alex and Jillian, the hero and heroine of the story, I had no idea why they did most of the things they did.
As a side-effect, because the story can’t give away the ending, it frequently gave me a partial view, blanking out obvious things that the viewpoint character could see and was thinking about. Now, I’m not an expert in the mystery genre. As I recall, the mysteries I’ve read have achieved this effect simply by staying in the mind of the detective. Suspense novels, not so much, but in a suspense, it’s more important to maintain the tension between hero and villain, rather than to keep secret who the villain is. I’m not sure I liked the effect in Taxed to Death.
The story did get better near the end, as the situation became clear and the forces of evil began to close around our heroes. Even so, I never understood why Alex and Jillian did most of what they did, or felt what they felt, or thought what they were thinking. This is extremely important to me, because rich, three-dimensional characters are key to a good story. And these characters just fell flat.
This story is also missing a theme, as far as I can tell. I had originally expected something like: financial fraud is about more than money. (And that could be the theme of the story… maybe, kinda.) Or: we all pay when someone embezzles funds. (And I didn’t get that at all from this story.) Much less did I see an uplifting, character-based theme. It simply wasn’t that kind of book.
After all of that, I do hope to read the next book in the series Fatal Encryption. Why? Well, Taxed to Death is Debra Purdy Kong’s first book, published 15 years ago. That means that Debra probably put more into it than any other story she’s written, but also that it reflects her inexperience as an novelist. I’m hoping that Fatal Encryption, which came out just a couple years ago, gave her a chance to address some of the storytelling issues I noticed in Taxed to Death. Most importantly, I’m hoping she has gotten better at characterizing her characters, and I really want to get to know Alex Bellamy.
-TimK
|
Taxed to Death |
Available in: |
кракен tor зеркало
article source https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
kraken darknet tor
I’m now not positive the place you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thanks for excellent info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come
here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create
your theme? Superb work!
browse around here https://jaxxwallet-web.org
Bonuses https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
kraken даркнет маркет
https://social.instinxtreme.com/read-blog/150645
kraken вход
The using the bridge tools are easy onboarding and great support.
see this https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
qq88 mediaqq88 media cập nhật tên miền mới, đăng ký casino trực tuyến qq88 nhận 88k ngay hôm nay
website here https://jaxxwallet-web.org
I’m not certain the place you are getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thank you for great information I was in search of this info for my mission.
try here https://jaxxwallet-web.org
Asking questions are truly good thing if you are not understanding something completely, but this article gives fastidious understanding yet.
I am not certain the place you’re getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
I personally find that i’ve been active for a year, mostly for swapping tokens, and it’s always scalable features. The mobile app makes daily use simple.
I am not certain where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend a while finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for excellent info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
other https://lumi-wallet.io/
https://ucisportfolios.pitt.edu/barirosenfeld/2025/01/22/how-to-build-a-successful-career-in-civil-engineering-7-essential-skills-and-tips/
The testing new tokens tools are responsive team and intuitive UI.
check my reference https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
additional hints https://lumi-wallet.io
take a look at the site here https://lumi-wallet.io/
read the full info here https://jaxxwallet-web.org
I’m not certain where you are getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I was in search of this info for my mission.
try this site https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
FYI, a detailed analysis on Mexican Pharmacy safety. It breaks down pricing differences for generics. Link: п»їhttps://polkcity.us.com/# mexico meds.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to
assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
over at this website https://lumi-wallet.io
try this web-site https://jaxxwallet-web.org
кракен darknet
visit their website https://jaxxwallet-web.org
redirected here https://jaxx-web.org/
https://www.emudesc.com/members/joselduranar.1816955/#about
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally
educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy I came across this in my search for
something concerning this.
You’ve outdone yourself — what a fun read!
Reese here — I’ve tried testing new tokens and the scalable features impressed me.
Приобрести диплом о высшем образовании поспособствуем. Заказать аттестат – diplomybox.com/zakazat-attestat
Приобрести диплом о высшем образовании мы поможем. Купить аттестат Калуга – diplomybox.com/kupit-attestat-v-kaluge
I’ve been active for a year, mostly for learning crypto basics, and it’s always robust security. I moved funds across chains without a problem.
https://kingshouse.gov.jm/use-of-kings-house-east-lawn/
this page https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
Wow, this post is good, my younger sister is analyzing
these kinds of things, therefore I am going to convey her.
image source https://jaxxwallet-web.org
important source https://jaxx-web.org/
Go Here https://jaxxwallet-web.org/
I was skeptical, but after a few days of exploring governance, the intuitive UI convinced me. The mobile app makes daily use simple.